The Japanese government is investing heavily in the chip and artificial intelligence industries to cope with global technology competition. This fiscal year, an additional special budget of 1.5 trillion yen (approximately US$9.9 billion) will be used for research and development in cutting-edge technology fields such as next-generation chips and quantum computers, as well as support for domestic advanced chip production. The editor of Downcodes will explain in detail this strategic layout of the Japanese government and the far-reaching significance behind it.
The Japanese government is advancing the strategic layout of the chip and artificial intelligence industries in a vigorous and resolute manner. This fiscal year, the Japanese government will add an additional special budget of 1.5 trillion yen (approximately US$9.9 billion), targeting cutting-edge technology fields such as next-generation chips and quantum computers.
This budget is divided into two important parts: 1.05 trillion yen will be used for the research and development of next-generation chips and quantum computers, while 471.4 billion yen will focus on supporting domestic advanced chip production. The most high-profile of these is Rapidus' moonshot mission, although a specific funding amount has yet to be determined.
Behind Japan's move is a strategic response to global technological competition. Japan is determined not to fall behind in the high-tech investment frenzy led by China and the United States. Senior Japanese government officials believe that chip technology is the key to developing excellent artificial intelligence and maintaining national security.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has promised to invest more than 10 trillion yen to support the chip and AI industries by the 2030 fiscal year. This is not only an industrial revitalization plan, but also a strategic guarantee for national economic security.
Looking back on the past three years, Japan has invested approximately 4 trillion yen in chip-related support. These include cooperating with TSMC to build a factory in Kumamoto, supporting Micron Technology to expand its DRAM production line in Hiroshima, and allocating 920 billion yen for Rapidus' factory in Hokkaido.
It is worth mentioning that Rapidus is trying to build leading chip manufacturing capabilities from scratch and plans to achieve mass production in 2027. As a project that relies heavily on government support, its development has attracted much attention.
In addition to the chip field, Japan has also approved 101.7 billion yen in subsidies to strengthen the domestic decentralized high-tech supply chain. Among them, 705 billion yen will be invested in the production of silicon carbide wafers and power chips for electric vehicles.
This series of actions clearly demonstrates Japan’s determination in global technology competition: to reshape its international status in the fields of semiconductors and artificial intelligence through sustained and large-scale strategic investment.
Through huge investment and strategic layout, Japan strives to occupy a place in the field of chips and artificial intelligence, which is not only related to its economic development, but also related to national security and future technological competitiveness. In the future, the development of Rapidus and the implementation effect of Japan's overall technology strategy deserve our continued attention. The editor of Downcodes will continue to bring you the latest reports.